MLA membership

[jax666]

Can anybody out there give me an honest opinion on the MLA?

After all the stuff posted in the last week or so I'm considering joining and want an honest opinion, the only people I know to ask are on the board of the MLA and therefore a bit biased.

Any comments good or bad welcome, if you don't want to post them pm or email me.

Cheers Guy's

[pinky]

currently the MLA is the only recognised uk locksmith association, up to now no other association is recognised in industry in the uk.

the mla has its faults , and its internal politics , but its still your only current option if you want to be recognised as a proffessional locksmith.

until another recognised body is formed , the mla is it.

the mla is a fine instituition even with its faults, its ethical , its honest and it works with members, industry and government to try and legitimise the trade.

well worth joining ,

[jax666]

Cheers Pinky.

I've been on the web site and read thru the text and it seems like a good option.
As i said i've only spoken to the guy's I know like Dave at Dennis lock and key who is on the board and Jeff at key hole Kate's who I think is also on the board, so I was after a non biased opinion which you have given, thank you.

Just trying to find out whats in the test, I hate tests but hey if i can do it out there there is no reason why i can't do it in a class room.

[pinky]

there is a theory test to become an advanced student, all about lock numbers and what they mean, lever heights how many lever heights a lock has etc. so you must know your lock numbners and what these mean.

the full member test is a more in depth theory test and a 2 part practical test i believe, fitting locks and cutting keys by hand to a lock.

until another recognised option comes along, although a bit elitist, the mla is the only true uk association.

[Al]

The MLA has been influential at the Home Office and does act to help independent locksmiths in the UK. They also wrote an NVQ syllabus and hold recognised training courses. Local meetings can be a good way of networking and learning. If you are an advanced student or full member then you have passed exams that are recognized within the industry.
As Pinky mentioned there are issues and have been personality clashes but it is run by volunteers with minimal full time staff.

[acl]

The full exam consists of ,theory, followed by lock opening,lockfitting and cutting a key by hand to a lock.
Andy

[sidpick]

I joined it back in 2000, unfortunately a career change etc stopped me paying the 70 or so quid a year for the membership
I attended the basic locksmith course 1 to 3 in august 2000, it was great, Tony Clare and Ken Bryan were teaching, followed by the then chairman, Gary Eckershall and Chris Taylor, must say, superb teaching and everybody was well into it.
Never got to the dizzy heights of doing my advanced as although my firm was MLA approved, they were having none of my 'please help me pay for a course!'
Well worth getting in on it I would say, it helped me get a foot on the ladder and I made an awful lot of contacts.
Keyways magazine is usually pretty informative and you have the MLA meetings - On my old wages it was a bit expensive but I never had any complaints
Worth it if you have the money! its worth joining to see what some of the 'locksmiths' going for "advanced student" have done to open poor defensless mortice locks!

[falcon_9]

I sat the MLA test I found them to be very down to earth people and very helpful only problem I found was gettin there a lot of county lanes and them funny little sign post that send you the wrong way ,I mean it is in the middle of no where sat the test and found out I left my brain at home lol

[jamesphilhulk2]

this is likely to be off topic but i was wondering if i take that test could i go around with a pick set in my pocket and not get arrested